Aux Lighting Help

Howdy,

I need help figuring out some wiring. The tag light and two aux bumper lights are connected, and all 3 come on when I turn on my headlights (not DRL). I’d like to separate the two aux bumper lights from this setup and have them on their own switch in the cab. Can someone guide me on what supplies I need and how to appropriately wire this?

 

ask @caribe makaira nicely and maybe he will help you out.

 

I would use a dual lead relay for the (2) aux lights with a switch in the cab. You will need to add some extra wire due to the location of the lights. 8-10ft probably?

that's what I've done for both my trucks.

 

Hey there,

There are a number of way that you can do this with varying degrees of "acceptability". In the very basic sense, If I were you and didn't plan on adding in enough lights to be seen from space....I would run a dedicated run of 12V (DC of course) to your bumper, splitting off at the end to go to each light. You can make that split (or "Y") with wire splices, WAGO blocks, or similar (not wire nuts).

The switch in the cab can be super basic too. All you need to do is wire into the switch just to interrupt the 12v (+) or (-). You can technically wire either into the switch, but I would wire in the 12V (+). You'll likely have to feed the wires thru a rubber grommet in the firewall to keep things neat.

Now where does all this power come from?! The battery...DUH. You CAN wire right to the battery but will need to but an inline fuse to protect your lights. Or you can find an empty slot in your fuse box. They make fuses that drop in, with a wire off the back that would be your 12V + to your light. Negative can either come from the battery, or bolt it to the frame with a ring terminal.

What size fuse should I use? You'll have to do a little math. Watts = Volts * Amps // (rated wattage of the lights combined) = 12v * Amps. So take your rated wattage on the lights, divide by 12, and you have your amp draw.

Hope this helps and makes sense.

 

Here's how I have my lights wired up.

I've got a second gen so where you get illumination and the add-a-fuse might be a little different.